Posted on October 21, 2024
Gov. Tina Kotek has officially broadcasted the infusion of $25 million into the Oregon International Port of Coos Bay, energized by a grant from the Nationally Significant Multimodal Freight & Highway Projects program, known as INFRA, administered through the U.S. Department of Transportation. This vital cash flow is pinpointed to breathe life into the Pacific Coast Intermodal Port (PCIP) Terminal Planning Project, encompassing environmental review, permitting, along with preliminary engineering and design of crucial elements such as the railyard, container yard, wharf, and berths.
In a statement obtained by the Oregon governor’s office, Kotek reminisced about her visit with the Port of Coos Bay staffers, underlining the indispensable role that state ports play in bolstering the economic vitality and prosperity of local communities. “When I visited with the Port of Coos Bay staff last year on the One Oregon Listening Tour, I was reminded of just how vital our state’s ports are to the economic growth and prosperity of our communities. Today’s exciting award announcement marks a critical step in the effort to establish a vital intermodal gateway for west coast imports and exports at the Port of Coos Bay,” Kotek said. Expressing gratitude towards Congresswoman Val Hoyle and the federal delegation, the governor highlighted the benefits foreseen, including easing highway congestion and slashing greenhouse gas emissions.
U.S. Representative Val Hoyle shared her elation over the Department of Transportation’s decision. “I am thrilled today that the U.S. Department of Transportation has awarded over $25 million for the Port of Coos Bay Intermodal Project,” said Hoyle, while acknowledging Secretary Buttigieg and the support of her congressional colleagues. This project aims to strengthen the supply chain and create over 8,000 jobs for the coastal region of Southwest Oregon, according to the same press release.
Designed to move nearly 100% of in and outbound containers via rail, the PCIP Terminal Planning Project harbors the goal of green energy use for container movement within the facility. This environmental and efficiency endeavor, looking towards electrification or alternative energy sources, will be striving to uncork additional capacity for imports and forge a new export gateway for U.S. goods.
